MCD suspends 3 building department engineers after Satya Niketan PG collapse | India News - hindustantimes.com

**MCD suspends three senior engineers after Satya Niketan PG collapse**

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced on Tuesday that it has suspended three senior engineers from its building department pending a full inquiry into the tragic collapse of a private guest house (PG) in the Satya Niketan locality. The structure came down on May 4, 2023, killing at least 20 residents and injuring dozens more. According to the MCD’s statement, the engineers – all of whom were involved in the approval and inspection processes for the building – are being held “responsible for gross negligence in the violation of statutory construction norms.” The suspension is a preliminary measure; a detailed departmental probe will determine whether disciplinary action, including termination, is warranted.

The Satya Niketan disaster has revived a long‑standing debate over Delhi’s rampant illegal construction. In a related development, the Supreme Court of India has directed all state governments to submit reports on the actions taken against illegal buildings, urging stricter enforcement of the National Building Code. Legal experts have highlighted a “no‑responsibility” clause often inserted in lease agreements of such guest houses, which attempts to shield owners from liability for structural failures. Critics argue that this clause cannot absolve contractors, engineers, or municipal officials who knowingly approve or overlook violations. The Delhi High Court has already ordered the arrest of the building contractor and two other parties, sending them to police custody for two days while the investigation continues.

Investigations by the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are focusing on a chain of approvals that may have been falsified or ignored. Preliminary findings suggest that the PG was built without proper structural clearances and that the load‑bearing capacity of the foundation was compromised. The three suspended engineers are expected to be questioned under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Meanwhile, city officials have pledged to conduct a “comprehensive audit” of all ongoing construction projects and to tighten oversight mechanisms. Residents and civil‑society groups have called for swift accountability, emphasizing that the tragedy underscores the need for transparent, enforceable building regulations.